incoming fire

USAGE SUMMARY

"incoming fire" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is commonly used in military or emergency situations to describe an attack or barrage of projectiles that are approaching or about to hit a certain area. Example: The soldiers huddled in their trenches, bracing for the incoming fire from the enemy's artillery.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Who knows what impact incoming fire will have on Brian Williams's career.

The New Yorker

His predecessor Hunt said "incoming fire from the press" was a daily fact of life.

The Guardian

Marshall has learned that being a little anonymous minimizes incoming fire.

The New York Times - Magazine

In August, there were days when none of the American bases in southern Iraq received incoming fire.

The New York Times

There was a fury of outgoing fire from Villa Somalia, followed by a burst of incoming fire.

The New Yorker

Most of the firing appeared to be from Amisom troops after short bursts of "incoming" fire from al-Shabaab.

The Guardian

Ukrainian forces say they were fired on from outside and this army truck has bullet holes from purportedly incoming fire.

The Guardian

She portrayed the job of BBC1 controller as someone who faces "incoming fire from the press on a daily basis".

The Guardian

Watched by snipers and struck by all manner of incoming fire, from tank rounds to cluster bombs, it is an extended boulevard of ruins.

The New York Times

(Ryne Duren used to unleash a warm-up pitch to the screen behind home plate, its whistle of incoming fire sending a message to batters).

The New York Times

Mr Brennan also told journalists that at one point in the operation a woman was used as a human shield to protect Bin Laden from incoming fire.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about military or conflict scenarios, use "incoming fire" to vividly describe the experience of being under attack, creating a sense of immediacy and danger for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "incoming fire" interchangeably with terms like "outgoing fire" or "crossfire". "Incoming fire" specifically refers to projectiles approaching the observer, while the others describe different aspects of gunfire.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incoming fire" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a preposition or verb. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts. It describes the state of being under attack, focusing on the projectiles approaching the target.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "incoming fire" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the experience of being under attack, especially with projectiles. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively communicates a sense of immediate threat and is frequently found in news reports and factual accounts. While primarily associated with military contexts, it can also be used metaphorically. Remember to distinguish it from similar terms and consider the specific nuances of each situation to ensure accurate and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approaching barrage

Emphasizes the impending nature of the attack but lacks the direct connotation of being under attack.

impending assault

Similar to "approaching barrage" but highlights a more aggressive and forceful attack.

hostile attack

Focuses on the aggressive intent behind the attack, rather than the projectiles themselves.

receiving flak

An idiomatic expression, primarily used for criticism, less so for literal attacks.

under attack

A broader term indicating a state of being attacked, not necessarily with projectiles.

subjected to bombardment

Highlights the continuous and heavy nature of the attack.

facing opposition

A general term for facing resistance; lacks the intensity and specific nature of "incoming fire".

experiencing backlash

Commonly used to describe negative reactions or criticism, often in response to an action or statement.

drawing criticism

Specifically relates to receiving criticism, lacking the physical threat implied by "incoming fire".

encountering resistance

Indicates encountering opposition or obstacles, but does not necessarily imply a direct attack.

FAQs

How is "incoming fire" typically used in a sentence?

Typically, "incoming fire" describes a situation where someone is under attack. For example, "The troops braced themselves for the "approaching barrage" of incoming fire".

What are some alternatives to "incoming fire"?

Depending on the context, alternatives could include "hostile attack", "under attack", or "receiving flak".

Is "incoming fire" appropriate for non-military contexts?

While primarily used in military or conflict scenarios, "incoming fire" can be metaphorically used to describe receiving strong criticism or opposition in non-military contexts.

What's the difference between "incoming fire" and "outgoing fire"?

"Incoming fire" refers to projectiles approaching a position, while "outgoing fire" refers to projectiles being launched from that position. They represent opposite directions of gunfire.